Charges: Couple forced woman to work as servant

An Upper Marlboro couple faces federal charges for allegedly compelling a mother of eight from the Philippines to work 13 hours a day over a period of 10 years as their domestic servant, according to authorities.

Alfred and Gloria Edwards lured the poor, uneducated woman to this country with a promise of a salary that would support her family, U.S. Department of Justice officials said.

The couple allegedly obtained a fraudulent visa that allowed the woman to enter the United States and then confiscated the victim’s documents after she arrived here, according to officials. They compelled her to work through a scheme of threats, assaults, withholding of pay and a peonage contract, officials said.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to 50 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. They are also charged with immigration violations.